Services
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. we celebrate our faith in scripture, song and prayer. Children join their parents for the first part of the service. Following the service, the congregation meets in the Fellowship Room for refreshments and conversation.
What to Expect on Sunday
Welcome to visitors and newcomers!
If you are new to Northlea, please make yourself known to the minister and sign the visitors’ book beside the centre doors of the Sanctuary.
Assisted hearing devices and large print hymn books are available from the sound operator at the back of the Sanctuary.
Audio tapes and CDs of Sunday worship services are available through the office.
The Nursery is on the main floor beside the Minister’s Office. Experienced, loving Nursery caregivers will look after your infants and toddlers so you can participate in the worship service.
School-aged children and youth attend the first part of the worship service. After the Theme Conversation, the children and youth go with their leaders to “Cool Church” (Sunday School), which is held downstairs in the Don Amos Hall. Children who are visiting are invited and welcome to join in!
Teenagers have their own Youth Group that meets in the youth room on the second floor to discuss moral values using a variety of real-world examples, drawn from rock music, current affairs and the core beliefs of the United Church.
After the service, parents meet their children and youth in the Fellowship Room.
Taizé Services
Taizé services are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, at 7 p.m. Services are contemplative and candle-lit, with prayers, psalms, Bible readings and the singing of simple songs. The sanctuary is open 15 minutes before the service for personal “quiet” time.
In August of 1940 the dream of the Taizé founders was to live out “a parable of community”, a place where reconciliation would flourish in the midst of distress. There are now more than 20 countries involved — people who come together in prayer and song to deepen their spiritual lives.
Twice a month, we enjoy this spirit of community as we share words of inspiration and hope, interspersed with meditative singing.
Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being. The simple chants we sing soon become part of our day and provide a way of praying while alone, during the day or at night, or even in the silence of our hearts.
Special Sunday Services
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated regularly as part of our Sunday service. Special Communion services are also held on Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve.
The Sacrament of Baptism is held regularly throughout the year. Please contact the church office for more details.
Special Seasonal Services
Easter – We begin Lent with an Ash Wednesday service following the Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday. On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday we worship with our friends and neighbours of Leaside Presbyterian Church, with each congregation hosting in alternate years. The joyful Easter Sunday service features special music and celebration.
Remembrance Day – We remember and honour those who served our country.
Advent and Christmas – Many special services prepare us for Christ’s coming and then celebrate his birth. For 40 years the Metropolitan Silver Band has joined us on the first Sunday in Advent, bringing their special music. On White Gift Sunday we share our gifts with less fortunate members of the community. The North Leaside community joins us for an outdoor evening of Carolling in the Pines, and a meaningful and sensitive Blue Christmas service is held for those who find it difficult to celebrate. Two highlights of the Christmas season are the Children’s Pageant and the choir’s Candlelight Concert. There are two services on Christmas Eve; an earlier family service and a later Christmas Eve Communion service.